Chapter 98 –
Ivy became enraged upon hearing this.
"How could you, Mr. Bernard? I was the one who initiated the inquiry!"
He simply stated that it was not for sale; therefore, a first-come, first-served basis should apply if he wishes to sell it. The elderly gentleman smiled as he addressed Wyatt Reed.
"I always sell my work according to my mood and to whomever, I find more pleasing to the eye."
Mr. Bernard proceeded in the same manner with the painting Lily Albert and Dolly Kinder desired last time.
Wyatt's eyes were dark with a faint glint. His lips were hooked.
"I desire it. Please state your price, Mr. Bernard."
"Any amount was acceptable."
As he extended one index finger, Mr. Bernard's smile widened.
Wyatt did not hesitate to turn to Ken, who stood behind him, and direct him to "Immediately transfer $100 million to Mr. Bernard." Ken was taken aback.
'One hundred million dollars for a painting?! Even the most priceless heirloom antique masterpiece is not so priceless!
Mr. Bernard smiled and cast a glance at Ivy's way.
"Transfer it to her, as I already painted her."
Ivy was so enraged that she was unable to speak.
'This old man has gone insane!' she considered.
She was unable to remain for another second.
Vince walked over with a frivolous smile just as Ivy was about to leave in a huff.
"Ivy, you're here! I looked everywhere for you-Hey, Uncle Wyatt. Why are you also here?"
Wyatt's face sank when he saw Vince. His eyes grew even colder when he heard Vince address her so intimately as "Ivy."
Unconsciously, the air pressure around them decreased.
Vince strolled over to Ivy and affectionately took her arm. He hooked his lips and inquired, "Ivy, shall we watch a movie after dinner?" Instantaneously, the atmosphere became strange.
Mr. Bernard's gaze was ambiguous and strange. The elderly gentleman appeared befuddled.
"This is..."
Vince introduced himself candidly while gazing adoringly at Ivy.
"My name is Vince Reed. Ivy and I have been through life and death together and have triumphed in the face of overwhelming odds. We are more than close acquaintances." Wyatt's face darkened at a rate visible to the naked eye in response to those words.
Mr. Bernard uttered a quick "oh" and "ah" before finding an excuse to flee when he noticed the atmosphere was off. He left them alone to stare each other in the eyes. Wyatt's eyes were cold and clear. His tone was antagonistic.
"Vince, you're quite capable now, aren't you?"
Vince's gaze was pure and innocent when he met Wyatt. "Uncle Wyatt, you're divorced already. Why do you deny single people the opportunity to nurture their feelings with one another?" At the mention of this, the air immediately became deadly cold around them.
Ken, who was standing behind Wyatt, kept sending Vince eye signals warning him to speak less. On the other hand, Vince pretended not to notice and continued to test Wyatt's patience. Vince regarded Ivy and inquired matter-of-factly, "Ivy, shall we?"
Ivy nodded. She was not about to stay another second.
Wyatt's icy voice greeted the pair as they turned around.
"Vince Reed, do you no longer require your studio?"
Vince's steps trembled.
"How can you threaten me in that manner, Uncle Wyatt?"
Vince desired to speak but feared embarrassing himself in front of Ivy.
After a brief pause, he addressed Ivy, saying, "Ivy, why don't you go and eat first. I'll be there shortly."
Ivy was unconcerned about their uncle-nephew feud and vanished from view in a matter of seconds.
Vince stood there, slightly raised brows and a cynical expression on his face. "Uncle Wyatt, threatening me is pointless. Ivy is completely uninterested in you!"
Wyatt took a step forward, his eyes filled with an intimidating chill. "Who are you to speak informally to her as if you knew her intimately?"
Vince took a step back subconsciously. He still lacked the courage to confront Wyatt.
Nonetheless, he braced himself and stated, "S-She said so willingly! You cannot simply separate lovebirds, Uncle Wyatt."
Vince's entire body was picked up and pushed against the wall as soon as he said that. His scalp was tingling, and he was in excruciating pain in his back. Vince had a much more muscular physique than the average person as an explorer, but in the face of Wyatt Reed, he devolved into a helpless little boy. Wyatt trampled on his dignity!
Wyatt glared at him coldly, showing no regard for his kinship. He was firm and ruthless in his actions.
"Vince Reed, if you wish to die, simply state so. I will happily offer it."
Ken stepped forward hastily. "President, there is still time for discussion. Sir Vince is making a joke! How is it possible that Ms. Wilson would be attracted to him?" Vince was mutilated entirely in a matter of seconds. His fear, however, retained a measure of defiance.
Vince regained his spirit at the prospect of Ivy.
"How could she be uninterested in me? Ivy is only interested in young hunks following her divorce. Isn't it true that they're all my type?"
All of the men who were involved in scandals with Ivy were markedly different from business elites such as Wyatt Reed. As a result, Vince exuded confidence. Wyatt snorted exasperatedly. Those icy eyes glowed with a murderous chill.
"I'm warning you, Vince Reed, to stay away from her; otherwise, I'll have to arrange a marriage alliance for you." His tone was so crushingly contemptuous. This was not even a cautionary statement. It was merely a notification.
Vince's face shifted a few times.
For gentries like them who failed as well as Wyatt in commanding the family business and their own destiny, their destinies could only be controlled by their families. Wyatt let go of Vince coldly and did not look at him again before turning around and leaving.
Ken followed suit, taking with him the hundred-million-dollar painting. Meanwhile, he cast a sympathetic glance in Vince's way.
'He wishes to steal Wyatt's woman out of all women? Isn't he inviting trouble?'
Whether or not Vince joins her for dinner, Ivy eats exceptionally well.
Numerous people approached her and added her on social media throughout her meal.
Ivy recognized these individuals as familiar and thus could not refuse their friend requests.
Numerous men and women rushed over excitedly to add Ivy to their social media accounts, as this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Wyatt happened to pass by and overheard a group discussion.
One of the guys was excitedly clutching his phone.
"I'm still in shock that Ivy accepted my friend request!!"
"Also, me! I wasn't expecting her to be so approachable! She is far too lovely."
"No, hold on... How come she didn't accept my friend request?" The tone of another gentleman was perplexed and disappointed.
Wyatt's anxious heart returned to normal as he walked away expressionless.
Ivy was finally able to catch her breath. Vince emerged at this point, looking disheveled.
"Ivy, let us depart."
Ivy nodded and followed him to the car, glancing at her phone to see what movies were available at the time.
Vince was still reeling from his encounter with Wyatt.
As he descended the hill away from the restaurant, the car in front of them flashed its lights. He was unable to stop in time and collided with the front car. Vince pronounced a curse. 'What misfortune!'
He was about to exit the car to settle this when he noticed Wyatt exiting the vehicle.
Wyatt stood in front of the car, inspecting the damaged area and casting a cold glance at the two passengers in the other vehicle.
Vince's body became rigid. He was clearly terrified.
Ivy took note of Vince's response. 'Wasn't he quite audacious during the banquet? Why does he resemble a small mouse who has just seen a cat?' She pondered. "Are you afraid of him?"
Vince refused to acknowledge it. "I'm not afraid," he said, gritting his teeth. "It's known as a courtesy!"